This video provides an insight into some local opinions on deep seabed mining in the Cook Islands. With the Cook Islands being rich in manganese nodules, the Cook Islands has had significant interest from mining companies and investors, though exploitation has yet to begin. The Cook Islands is currently completing a tender process for exploration licenses for interested mining companies. Local NGOs are calling for more independent research to be carried out in the Cook Islands to determine what life forms we may have in our deep ocean. A minimum 10 year Moratorium on commercial harvest has also been called for in order to align with global initiatives such as the UN Decade of Ocean Science. Many see deep sea mining as yet another layer of stress on an ocean that is already struggling to withstand overfishing, plastic pollution, and climate change, to name just a few.

It is hoped that this short documentary will be the start of initiating at home dialogue on the topic so more community members can become better informed and engaged on this pressing new issue of Deep Seabed Mining.